Tiny Eyes - Hannah Scott - ElectroBluesSociety feat Jan Hidding

Tiny Eyes - Just Saying.

Background - When your songwriting theme is love it can often feel like a road too well travelled. From the rose-tinted idealisation of new love, to the emotional tempest of love lost, we’ve heard the story retold in countless variations; we get the picture. Enter Tiny Eyes with his latest song ‘Just Saying’, the first single to be taken from his forthcoming debut album, released next year. ‘Just Saying’ is about the less documented side of our strongest emotion. 

It’s about the banal and the familiar, the quotidian journeys we go through with our lovers from sunrise to sunset, through mild annoyance to peaceable reconciliation, and then into bed again to repeat tomorrow. Featuring his partner Martha Bean on backing vocals, and made entirely at home on his trademark old 20’s piano with percussion patched together on a laptop, it’s a sonically adventurous ode to reality that endears itself to the listener through Tiny Eyes’ unique observational storytelling.

After cutting his teeth as the frontman of an angst-rock band for a few years, Tiny Eyes auteur Joel Evans met his partner (singer/songwriter Martha Bean) and found himself mellowing out. Feeling disconnected from the angst-ridden world of thrashing guitars his band drifted apart. It was around that time that he’d acquired an upright piano from the 1920’s. Taking to the instrument like a bird to flight, he quickly found a new musical voice and tonality that harmonised with his maturing tastes. 

Tiny Eyes is a one-man band from Leicester, a singer and producer who’s reared himself on the understated elegance of lovelorn balladeers from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. By turns evoking Lennon, Tom Waits, Elliot Smith, Flaming Lips and Andy Schauf, Tiny Eyes is a brilliant and unique new sound. Last year, the release of his brilliant and original self-titled debut EP set out his MO clearly: he is a narrative songwriter in the classic sense, employing clever turns of phrase and vivid imagery to weave imaginatively fertile and provocative yarns into his music. TWITTER.

'Just Saying' is one of those songs that establishes itself in the opening seconds, with a simple melody, desirable musical backdrop and vocals that are just so enticing and likable. It reminds me in part of Mercury Rev, but hey, any comparison to said band should be seen as a very positive complement.


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Hannah Scott - Pieces Of The Night.

Background - Originally from Ipswich and the daughter of an artist, Hannah Scott draws much of the inspiration for her music from her affinity with Italy. A year living and working on an olive press in rural Tuscany, provided the backdrop to her early work and she has found her musical home with creative partner Stefano Della Casa who she met in London but may well have met years earlier when regularly passing through the train station Stefano was working in!

When Hannah and Stefano began making music together, they realised that they had an incredible connection, despite coming from very different backgrounds. Stefano had a difficult upbringing and a troubled early adult life, while Hannah was lucky to have a supportive, happy childhood. Hannah has had her own difficulties following the recent diagnosis of a form of arthritis which causes severe joint pain and fatigue. Both artists, firmly believe that their musical collaboration has provided an outlet to support each other through difficult times.

“Around the time of my diagnosis we had quite a lot of shows and Stefano literally had to help me on and off the stage! He still insists on carrying all our equipment when we’re on the road which makes us laugh because he ends up looking like a porter and people must think I’m some kind of superstar refusing to pull my weight!” -  Hannah Scott

Stefano adds, “I was going through a pretty low patch while we were writing this record with no job and very little money and I’ll alwaChys remember Hannah turning up on my doorstep bringing groceries, even though she could hardly walk.” - Stefano

Their musical journey has also proved fruitful. Previous releases were supported by Bob Harris and Dermot O’Leary on BBC Radio 2. They’ve also been featured by MOJO, Songwriting Magazine and as ‘New Band of The Day’ in The Guardian. Hannah has opened for artists including Seth Lakeman and 10cc.

Stefano has recently signed to Ultra Music Publishing and the pair are now working between London and Italy. The result of their work is a new album, “Pieces Of The Night”, a collection of songs that expertly combines organic, live elements, with classy electronica and stunning production. Lyrically, they’re honest songs about the human condition and human connection in an increasingly hectic world. The album ranges from stunning instrumental performances such as ‘Boy In The Frame’, to crystalline electronica soundscapes in ‘Pieces of The Night’. The two artists have struck a perfect balance between Hannah’s traditional songwriting craft and Stefano’s exquisite synth-rich production style. TWITTER. 

The melodic and distinct vocals of Hannah Scott are the focal point of 'Pieces Of The Night' the title track from the new album. The musical arrangement is carefully crafted, adding more depth and energy without distraction. It's also loaded with hooks, and typifies the quality and creativity the album is crammed full of.


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ElectroBluesSociety feat Jan Hidding - All The Way Down.

Background - In December 2017 Cuban Heels singer Jan Hidding did a recording session with ElectroBluesSociety and here is the third track from that session. This time another original and new song. This new single will be released digital only and will be available on all major download and streaming platforms.

ElectroBluesSociety is a new duo mixing electronics with raw vintage live sounds. Both of the musicians have been active in the European blues/roots scene for more then 30 years and in this new project they like to mix that experience with current technologies and other musical styles. The musical input from this new duo ranges from Alan Lomax to Roxy Music and from Charlie Parker to Led Zeppelin. On stage you will find computers, a double bass, foot pedals, vintage amps, guitars, midi controllers, an old drumkit and lots of cables. All of this handled by the two band members.

JASPER MORTIER – drums, bass, mainly known as bass player but lately he found a new passion: playing drums !!  Over the last ten years Jasper worked with numerous great artists like Preston Shannon, ‘Sax’ Gordon Beadle, Monti Amundson, Philip Walker, Candye Kane, Melvin Taylor, Sherman Robertson, Terry Evans, Long John Hunter, Eddy Clearwater, Toni Lynn Washington, Paul Oscher, Doug Jay, Boo Boo Davis, Byther Smith, Boyd Small, and many others. Right now is is the bass player of the Jimmy Reiter Band.

JAN MITTENDORP – guitar, buttons, Since 1993 touring Europe with USA artists like:  Percy Strother, Smokey Wilson , Byther Smith, Burton Gaar, Roy Roberts, Larry Garner, Boo Boo Davis, Erskine Oglesby, Jody Williams, Roscoe Chenier, Clara McDaniel, Boyd Small, Billy Jones, Hosea Leavy, Percy Strother, Harrison Kennedy and many others.  In 2009 with Boo Boo Davis among others at Montreux Jazz Festival and Peer Bluesfestival. TWITTER.

We have featured ElectroBluesSociety just once before back in December 2016. I think it fair to say that the second feature has been worth the wait. 'All The Way Down' has the deep rich vocals of Jan Hidding where his natural blues singing is fabulous, the backing music is stripped back with a potent blues guitar and drums and just a small glimpse of electro sounds.

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Team Picture - Edan Archer - Odetta Hartman - Natalie Holmes

Team Picture - EVE.

Background - The six-piece Leeds-based Team Picture have just shared the video for their ltd. edition 7" single 'EVE' - released on Come Play With Me. 'EVE' is a re-working of a track by fellow Leeds trio, Laminate Pet Animal. Recorded and released initially under the band’s alias, ‘Group Photograph’ for West Yorkshire-based label, Come Play With Me, the new video arrives hot off the back of their recent 6 Music-supported mini-album, ‘Recital’, and just ahead of a headline at Camden Assembly Hall on July 27, 2018 for Come Play With Me/War Child.

“We chose to mangle 'Eve' after sharing one side of a 7" with Laminate Pet Animal's original, excellent, version of the song,” says Team Picture frontman, Josh. “We didn't bother trying to recreate the original because we knew we had nowhere near enough bloopy and bleepy machinery, so we came at it as a re-imagining of the source material.”

Speaking about the video for ‘EVE’, visual artist and director of the clip, Theresa Steinmetz says: “The video references the important topic of mental illness using the routines of three women as the narrative. I worked with light, contrast and tempo in the footage to emphasise mood changes and frustrations. I wanted to bring up, and contribute to the conversation of depression, as it is a topic that’s often forgotten.”

On June 1, 2018, Team Picture released their acclaimed Matt Peel-produced (Menace Beach, Eagulls) debut mini-album, 'Recital' - the band supported the release with a debut headline tour, ticking off a date at Leeds' Brudenell Social Club, and further dates at The Great Escape, Liverpool Sound City,  and Hit The North. Since forming in 2016, the group have earned praise at Radio 1, Radio X, and 6 Music, alongside ticking off support slots with the likes of Parquet Courts, Psychic Ills, The Orielles, Wire, and Ulrika Spacek. We’ll have more new music and live dates from Team Picture to come later in 2018. WEBSITE.

Following on from the song '(I Want Your) Life Hack' which we shared last month and described as  "a creative song where power and eccentricity come together" we now have 'EVE' a piece that differs considerably. There is something of a core band sound that is present, however the tone is a little more sombre, but again intriguing and hypnotically attractive. 


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Edan Archer - Bad Imitation Of Something Good.

Background - Florida-bred Nashville-based alt-country songcrafter Edan Archer has unleashed a brand new tune--a carefree Tom Petty-esque ode to being liberated from others' ideas and assumptions about ourselves. The song shines a bright rock n' roll spotlight on the absurdity of people trying to change each other. "Basically, this car ain't changing directions," explains Archer. "So, you can either stand back or get in."

“The sentiment behind this song is that 'to hell with it' feeling when you just accept yourself as you are. I came up with the phrase 'bad imitation of something good' to describe when others don’t really see you; they see a bad version of what they think you should be. Specifically, this song is about love and relationships, and priorities: does he see me as the feminine force of nature that I am, or does he see me as someone who can’t put the toothpaste cap on right?”

Archer's swampy sensibilities come through loud and clear, her voice is sultry as sweet tea and crackles like the ever-present heat lightning of her Everglades upbringing. All moonshine and honey, Archer combines rock and country with her roots in Appalachian folk as she gets gritty with guitar magic and casts spells with intimate ballads and finger picking, alternate tunings, and rich effects. There is more music on the way, so keep Edan Archer on your radar. WEBSITE.

'Bad Imitation Of Something Good' is a feisty and lively Americana song that mixes country and rock and roll together, whilst retaining the separate character of both genres. It's also sing along and catchy stuff.

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Odetta Hartman - Widow's Peak.

Background - NYC artist Odetta Hartman releases her new album 'Old Rockhounds Never Die' through Memphis Industries on 10th August.

Following the release of first two singles 'Misery' and 'Sweet Teeth', Odetta has now unveiled new track 'Widow's Peak'. 'Widow’s Peak' begins as a dusty banjo dirge but soon opens up into a sublime wall of sound comprised of strings, drum machines and deep bass. A sonically diverse palette of sounds that only Odetta Hartman can conjure up. Odetta says about the track: “Sometimes lightning strikes and an entire song reveals itself in an instant. Sometimes I feel like a vessel, channeling stories from beyond, and this spooky tale certainly sounds like it came from another world. With the intention of playing a fiddle solo, I sound-checked the violin in multiple rooms. Thanks to a happy accident, we played back all of the test takes together and fell in love with the wall of sound. At the end, we featured a prayer call & street sounds from our walk through Fez. Of all the songs on the record, I am most proud of this composition.”

'Old Rockhounds Never Die' is a bonanza of beautiful contradictions: intimate yet fiercely internationalist, spiritual and yet tangible, sweet and also sexy. It convenes with the ghosts of the past while marching relentlessly forwards.

Drawn from experiences as far-flung as riding a train from San Francisco to Chicago with an old-style, rootin'-tootin' cowboy for company ('Cowboy Song'), to experiencing the intense natural beauty of Icelandic waterfalls ('Dettifoss'), it’s a record that taps into the musical traditions of the past while being a collection of songs about living in the moment.

Raised by pioneering parents on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, NYC, Odetta’s milieu was a “colourful culture of artistry,” that included early exposure to community activism, renegade film screenings, poetry readings and trips to CBGB's. Inchoate punk and hip hop were aural wallpaper, as were the 45s spinning in the household jukebox featuring her dad’s extensive collection of soul and afrobeat records, as well as her Appalachian mother’s classic country selections. A classically trained violinist with a penchant for back-porch banjo, Odetta combines these variegated sounds of her childhood with her personal passion for folk music and the musicological legacy of Alan Lomax. Lomax is writ large on 'Old Rockhounds...' at least in spirit anyway. Odetta plays all the instruments on this and her debut '222'. TWITTER.
 
Our second feature in less than a month for Odetta Hartman and 'Widow's Peak' is a softer and much slower affair. The delicious and well described "cowboy soul" gently oozes through again adding distinction and hooks throughout.

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Natalie Holmes - Hideout (Live Piano Session).

Background - Top 10 iTunes singer-songwriter Natalie Holmes has just unveiled a stunning live piano session video of her new single ‘Hideout’. Bristol-based singer/songwriter Natalie Holmes writes lilting, haunting and yet somehow invigorating pop, with honey toned vocals and an incredible depth to every song. An independent artist building her fan base entirely from scratch, she kick-started her musical career by uploading songs and now has over a million hits on YouTube, thousands of subscribers and a loyal following on social media. Although just into her twenties, Natalie has clocked up four successful EP’s: The Simplest Things, Child, Over & Out and her most recent release, Calm Places, all of which featured in the iTunes and Top 10 Singer/Songwriter Charts.

In 2016, Natalie was asked to accompany trance legends ‘Above & Beyond’ as the new female vocalist on their Acoustic II world tour, performing to sold out audiences at the Hollywood Bowl, Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House to name a few. Since Over & Out, Natalie has been writing and making plans for her next solo release, taking time to hone her sound before making her comeback. On top of the A&B tour, the last 12 months have seen her travelling all over Europe, showcasing her existing material to a new audience and trialing new songs.

Described as one of the most consistently astounding new songwriters the music world has seen in ages, Natalie admits that her latest EP, Calm Places, marks a real milestone in her life, where she realised the importance of sitting back and taking care of yourself, making time for all the things and people you love. Listeners have said that she’s coming back with a new edge of maturity on every release, transforming her music into something truly new and unexpected. WEBSITE.

I have added the studio version of 'Hideout' alongside the live piano session, both are superb, it' no wonder the attention Natalie Holmes has received. If her material is new to you, enjoy exploring her previous EP's, and join the large crowd of folk looking forward to more.

 
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Sonny Falls - The Ophelias

Sonny Falls - Easy To Lose.

Background - Chicago based indie rock band Sonny Falls shares the lead single "Easy To Lose" off their forthcoming LP Some Kind Of Spectre, due out 8/17 on Sooper Records (Nnamdi Ogbonnaya, Sen Morimoto). On "Easy To Lose" the band addresses the way a toxic situation can be all-consuming. It is about codependency in all forms, like addiction or an unhealthy relationship. The rest of their forthcoming album deals with the same themes. Over 10 tracks, Sonny Falls’ Some Kind of Spectre finds songwriter and frontman Ryan 'Hoagie Wesley' Ensley exploring the nuances and complexities of relationship; whether with a person, a drug, or even just a mindset.

While the album contains explicit references to heroin and the opioid epidemic, metaphorical lyrics create space for the listener to insert their own meaning. Hoagie makes obvious reference to particular issues that have plagued he and his loved ones, but the flexibility of interpretation also highlights the archetypal nature of human struggle. Despite the drastic differences between people in the world, there is space for empathy in the commonality that we all have Some Kind of Spectre.

Sonny Falls is the song-writing project of Chicago DIY veteran Ryan “Hoagie” Wesley Ensley. Disarmingly personal in his presentation, Consequence of Sound once described Sonny Falls as “the sound of a songwriter struggling to assert his own agency in a world that refuses to do him any favors.” Hoagie’s writing gives voice to a depleted notion of modern Americana saturated by fortuneless upbringing, tragic devotion, and the untold losses of the opioid epidemic. These themes recur honestly and without pretension in his writing; erected as dark windows into the soul of songs that nonetheless break glass to let the sunshine in. Dire narratives are beset by a survival instinct of unrelenting optimism, and are delivered with a graceful balance of honest guitar rock and soulful self-expression. The result is that special kind of timeless indie rock. Bands like Built to Spill and Neutral Milk Hotel are strong points of reference not only because of the familiar sonic territory but because, like those bands, Sonny Falls is a project that listeners might fall in love with forever.  

On 2018’s Some Kind of Spectre (Sooper Records), themes of codependency and addiction underwrite melancholic sing-alongs extruded through a foundation of blistering guitar rock. The rhythm section of drummer Calvin Schaller and bassist Jeff Perlman joyride with the signature lead guitar of Anthony Santoro to rocket the songs light years beyond the domain of singer-songwriter tropes. Notable horn and string arrangements feature prominently in the album and shine as a definitive symphonic element. The result is an epic of honesty presenting as the masterwork of a talent screaming to be heard. Bleak but optimistic, Some Kind of Spectre is an ambitious work of pop-rock brilliance that urges the recognition of Sonny Falls as an authentic and substantive voice in the landscape of American rock music, FACEBOOK.

'Easy To Lose' is a sturdy rocker, with bags of energy and vocals that ooze rock and roll credentials. The video adds a layer of good feeling to the song, with or without the images, this is one fine blast of natural rock music.


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The Ophelias - Lunar Rover.

Background - The Ophelias have just shared the new track and video "Lunar Rover." Through a blend of understated rock, baroque pop and wide-skied atmospheres, The Ophelias explore the juxtapositions of youth on their album, Almost.

Having formed the band while still in high school, bassist Grace Weir, guitarist/lyricist Spencer Peppet, percussionist Micaela Adams, and violinist Andrea Gutmann Fuentes first met at a time when each were independently serving as the “token girl” in various dude-bands from their hometown of Cincinnati, OH. Coming from varied musical backgrounds (ranging from garage-rock, to surf, to opera), the distinct talents and influences of each member collided in unexpected ways at the band’s first rehearsal. It was here the band discovered that their chemistry wasn’t rooted in a shared musical reference point, but in the creative relief from the expected censorship of being a sideperson.

“In the past we had all kind of been the ‘girl in the band,’ in some capacity,” Peppet said. “Having a band of all women eradicates that possibility logistically, but also makes for a really creative environment without the patronization that often comes along with being the ‘girl in the band.’”

Produced by Yoni Wolf, the new album Almost glides between palatial assuredness and pallid introspection, looking back on youthful yearning — the uncertainties, the traumas, the anxieties — without discounting its soft beauty. The Ophelias steer Almost through the lineage of coming-of-age confessionals, and affectionately document their growth into a warm, fractured adulthood. TWITTER.

Tour Dates:
07/12 Kansas City, MO - Uptown Arts Bar
07/16 Los Angeles, CA – Moroccan *
07/19 Seattle, WA – Fremont Abbey *
07/20 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios *
07/22 San Francisco, CA – Swedish American Hall *
07/23 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
07/27 – Cincinnati, OH – We Have Become Vikings
* = w/ The Low Anthem.

We featured 'Fog' in May, 'General Electric' in June and now were in July 'Lunar Rover' makes it's timely arrival, increasing our anticipation even further for The Ophelias new album 'Almost'. Well three in a row is all down to the bands unique and fascinating creative works, which have consistently grabbed my attention. The latest song is another mixture of baroque meets low key rock, the vocals add more dimension and depth, this is very impressive and pleasing material.

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Moderate Rebels - Atlanta Arrival - ilu

Moderate Rebels - Beyond Hidden Words.

Background - London-based “Anti-Music Collective” Moderate Rebels release ‘Beyond Hidden Words’, from their just-completed second album, due out in November on Everyday Life Recordings. Describing it as an ‘un-song’, Moderate Rebels say, “We’re not sure what this music is exactly. It arrived with us as a feeling, then a defiant chant, a repeating half hallucination set to building noise, an invocation of strong communal power and hope, through the confronting of the uncomfortable, and the taking of some personal responsibility for being part of that conversation… The sound of a dream, set to the dream of a sound.”

‘Beyond Hidden Words’ arrived as an experiment, as much Moderate Rebels material has, from posed questions: “Can 3 chords and ‘the truth’ still work in 2018?... At what point does repetition become psychedelic?... Once you lose track of structure and time in music, do you get any sense of the infinite?”

“We know ‘Beyond Hidden Words’ has become important to us, and we find it emotionally stirring, more so as we listen to it, and we do believe these to be the correct words for us to sing, to our bones, and perhaps that’s enough for now”.

“Some London gigs and a UK tour in November are being planned. We may play ‘Beyond Hidden Words’ and some other new songs for the whole 45 minutes at some. We’ve done it before with [MR’s first single] ‘God Sent Us’ and enjoyed it very much… None of us knew what was going on or what would happen. Once you get a taste for that kind of chaotic night… It’s addictive.”

Moderate Rebels follow their debut album ‘The Sound Of Security’ and ‘Proxy’ EP, both released in 2017. The collective’s previously stated approach to their songwriting is “to use as few words and chords as possible”. TWITTER.

We featured Moderate Rebels a couple of times last year including their debut album, and I think it fair to say they were one of my favourites bands of 2017. Returning with 'Beyond Hidden Words' the first taste of their second album due in November, and the bands ethos of using just a few chords and words remains intact, as does their ability to do so with imagination and fascination. The bonus personally is that I can remember all the lyrics, as I sing along (privately that is, you wouldn't want to hear me sing).

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Atlanta Arrival - Colliding Stars (A Tribute To Björn Mertz).

Background - “On 17th May, we had to say goodbye to our dear son, brother, uncle, friend and drummer Björn Mertz. He was a fighter and an optimist, always determined to support his beloved ones instead of burdening them with his own stroke of fate. After months of battling cancer, it seemed like a miracle when he left the hospital cancer-free at the beginning of this year – still full of enthusiasm and joy of living. He enjoyed the time with friends and family and poured all his energy into his music, his one true passion. So, after our former band The Satellite Year split up, we composed an album that was supposed to be our next project.

Björn was about to go to a health resort, so we wanted to record the songs afterwards – but as if he had had a vision, he insisted on finishing the recording of the drums before his leave. And so he did: 9 songs in only 8 hours! At this time there was no way that anybody could have known that he was already developing a number of new tumours. While his friends believed that Björn was at the health resort as planned, really he was staying at the Uniklinik Homburg, a hospital, again fighting a battle against cancer with only his family by his side – and he did fight to the last. There is no rational explanation for what had happened during the last few weeks of his life or why this even had to happen. Similarly, there are no words for the pain and grief we feel. But should pain, emptiness and misery be the only things left? He himself would not have wanted this.

Therefore, it’s the deepest wish of his family and friends that Björn’s music and with it his unique spirit live on. We finished Björn’s favourite song of the album as well as a music video and kindly ask you to donate whatever you want and can afford to give, in order to support the German Cancer Foundation”. FACEBOOK, BANDCAMP.

A sad background with plenty of reasons to feature this music video regardless of the quality. However 'Colliding Stars' is a fine song that deserves to be shared on it's own merit. Only featuring music we like, enables Beehive Candy to be positive about all we share, and in it's own minor way hopefully that understanding provides a small tribute, to a drummer we never personally knew and clearly, a naturally talented musician. 


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ilu - Graffiti Hen Ewrop.

Background - Hymns of heartbreak and poetic reflections on grief and loss all dressed in music, steeped in the infectious energy and experimentation of 70s West Germany (Neu! Can, Faust). ilu also possesses a modernist European perspective that at first seemed at odds with their organic song-craft, yet it all coalesces into one coherent moving sound. 

Krautrock, motoric grooves propel their songs, songs that are also informed by a love for spiky post-punk and its melancholic longing, evident in ilu's rain soaked chords that sit comfortably on these city rhythms. Splitting their time recording between Tallinn, Estonia and rural Wales, ilu will be releasing their debut single 'Graffiti Hen Ewrop' on August 3rd. This singular reclusive band are well worth the wait.

'Graffiti Hen Ewrop' - The lyrics came in one go, driving around a snowy Tallinn on Christmas day, throwing grief and sadness into the night that is falling around the city. "I had just lost my father a few months before moving to Tallinn and I was dealing with my grief and my own confusion that was crippling at the time. The album was written and recorded there in a small flat in Merivälja looking across the harbour over at the old medieval town, it is very much a journey back into the light”.

The rest of the recording and mixing were done under the guidance of Producer Tim Lewis (Coil, Julian Cope, Spiritualized) from his studio in rural Carmarthenshire, Wales. Mastering is by Iwan Morgan (Euros Childs, Gruff Rhys, Cate Le Bon, Sweet Baboo). TWITTER.

If you have been here often enough you may well have noted we have a thing about Krautrock. It's a very positive thing at that, and 'Graffiti Hen Ewrop' is one of those tracks that satisfies, as it also promises more! ilu have nailed it with this song.

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Gaffa Tape Sandy - Mikey Collins - Polyplastic

Gaffa Tape Sandy - Meat Head.

Background - Rising garage rockers Gaffa Tape Sandy launch their punishing new single Meat Head, building on their brand of high-octane, adrenaline-fuelled rock ‘n’ roll delivered with a vital message.

“Meat Head was written as an attack on the type of mind-sets people harbour which involve believing that they somehow own or have the right to the body of another person”, the band stated. “The song is intended to be a pointed finger, an accusation and a vexed comment aimed towards reckless attitudes that exacerbate rape culture. It’s a topic we feel strongly about, and so wanted to perform with passion and indignation”.

With drummer Robin Francis’ viciously executed pre-choruses and bassist Catherine Lindley-Neilson’s fierce vocal delivery, the subject of the song can be widely felt within the performance just as much as the lyrics, adding to the wave of momentum surrounding the trio heading into the summer months.

One of NME’s 100 Essential Acts for 2018, the Bury St. Edmunds outfit have already toured across the UK with Indoor Pets this year and will be hopping all over the festival circuit with imminent slots at Latitude (BBC Introducing) and Y Not following raucous displays at The Great Escape and Live At Leeds. WEBSITE.

Feisty garage rock with plenty of punk attitude oozes throughout 'Meat Head' a sub three minute sonic blast of timeless and sincere "message attached" no nonsense rock.

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Mikey Collins - Falling.

Background - "Falling" is the second single to be taken from the forthcoming debut album by Allo Darlin' drummer Mikey Collins. Hoick is due out via Fika Recordings on 17 August. The song is a bright, upbeat pop number with call and response vocals provided by Laura Kovic from Tigercats. It is about Mikey proposing to his wife, something he swore blind he'd never do.

The video was shot on a summer's day in London, bringing the track to life, adding colour and movement, featuring the dancer Dessy Adesuwa, who choregraphed the piece herself. As Mikey explains; "London always shows it's best side on a sunny day and we shot the footage in ten hours around Little Venice, Fitzroy Square and St James Park... much to the joy of many onlookers."

Mikey explains further about the song; "This is about the process of proposing to my wife. About how I changed my opinions on marriage and how I changed my mind from it being something that I never wanted to do to being something very important to me!"

With Hoick, Mikey Collins combines his love of solid grooves and joyous harmonies to create a fun and sonically varied record. Mikey played most of the instruments and mixed the record himself, with some assistance from Laura Kovic (Tigercats) on vocals and fellow Allo Darlin' member Paul Rains on lead guitar. The flicker of his previous band provided the building blocks of an upbeat, positive record, but Mikey wanted to add his own quirky, disco spin & sonic expansiveness, aided by co-producer John Winfield (who has worked with Jimmy Somerville), with the aim of making a record that people stood a chance of being able to dance to. To create this eclectic sound, Mikey draws on influences are as far flung as Dexy's Midnight Runners, Bruce Springsteen & Todd Rundgren as well as more current artists such as Night Works, Matthew E White and Father John

It was a real pleasure to share the first single from Mikey Collins and the second one 'Falling' is equally special and pleasing to feature. Once again we are treated to some refined pop sensibilities, the smooth delivery and upbeat lilt, is taken up a further notch by the dual harmonies, and the video really is "the icing on the cake."


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Polyplastic - Next Slide.

Background - LA-based, post-punk band Polyplastic have released their new EP, Not No. Polyplastic is the project of Los Angeles natives Charlie Ellis and Emily Ibarra. 

Inspired by his time as a welder in North Philadelphia, Ellis’s songwriting is influenced by industrial and post-punk genres, marrying lyrical melodies with angular guitar lines and a driving rhythm section.

With a few bare-bones demos, the band started playing shows in LA and touring the US, supporting acts such as Wolf Alice, Ryley Walker, Draemings, and Tennis System. Polyplastic have released a few one off singles over the past few months, leading up to the release of their EP, Not No, due out June 29th. The band will be touring nationally, in support of the EP. TWITTER.

The single from Polyplastic's brand new EP 'Not No' is 'Next Slide' which exclusively includes 'Memphian Circles' as the B side. The band develop intriguing post punk orientated music where the vocals are just right for the genre adding depth and passion, whilst the musical backdrop is solid and robust.


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Moon Panda - Hannah Featherstone - Slow Culture

Moon Panda - Rabbit.

Background - The sounds of Portishead, Mitski, Beirut, Beach House, and Angel Olsen have been key to the formation of Moon Panda. After the duo of Californian songwriter Maddy Myers and Danish guitarist Gustav Moltke decided on the talents of Bristolian synth player George Godwin and London-based percussionist Alfie Webber to join them, they settled on Brighton in 2018 as their creative base to launch Moon Panda.

Their debut single ‘Rabbit’ released June 29th on boutique record label My Little Empire is an impressive introduction with dark undertones. “Rabbit is about unhealthy love.” Myers explains. “It’s someone so infatuated with their partner that they can’t end their tragic, dependent relationship.” Inspired by a character formed in Heiko Julien’s collection of wit-filled 21st century love poems ‘I’m Ready To Die A Violent Death’, Myers looks to personify the atmosphere evoked. “I wanted ‘Rabbit’ to feel quite hypnotic and have some edge. Like a predator lurking around.” The single was produced by Cameron Blackwood who has also recently worked with the likes of Florence & the Machine, The Horrors, British Sea Power, and London Grammar.

Moon Panda create a hypnotic, mellow soundscape, with lush electronic harmonies and dense drums that weave throughout and leave an instantaneous desire for more. The fragility and sensitivity felt in ‘Rabbit’ has been part and parcel of Myers’ songwriting journey throughout her life. In fact, she was sparked into first picking up a guitar at 16 after her self-confessed sweetly sheltered childhood saw its first glimpse of the real world when her treasured adolescent possessions were stolen from a broken into car. “I had a really charmed, kind, upbringing and it was the first time I’d ever really felt cruelty,” explains Myers.

With a mismatch of influences including the misunderstood maverick composer Charles Ives, the intricate, technical guitarist Erik Mongrain, and US alt-lit writer Heiko Julien, it might come as some surprise that Moon Panda create such beautifully relatable songs - but it results in a perfect balance of intrigue and understanding. WEBSITE.

The musical landscape is uncomplicated and could even be described as precise on 'Rabbit'. The vocals are alluring to say the least, and all elements combine to give a lush a distinctive sound. There are influences and comparisons to be made, these however are positive as the result is a song that seemingly begs to be heard again.

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Hannah Featherstone - What's In A Name.

Background - Hannah Featherstone is Franco-British artist. Her voice glides through styles and ranges. Her piano sets a steady groove. Her music blends the catchy riffs of electro pop with the off-beat meanderings of jazz.

Born in England and raised for the most part in France, she's never been able to choose between the two countries and finds herself most at home somewhere in between. Brought up in a family of musicians, she was naturally immersed in music from the start. Her extensive experience of singing in classical and gospel choirs, but also in jazz, world music and pop ensembles, has nourished an eclectic and unique sound.

Hannah makes herself at home on any stage, in both small and large venues, fashioning her own space with a relaxed vibe that quickly spreads to the audience. As a result, every performance ends up feeling like a real heart-to-heart between her and the audience, varying in number from tens to thousands.

Her new album, Word Bound, explores both the creative and reductive power of words, using her lyrics and their musical setting to reach beyond what meets the eye. What is left when labels are stripped away?

What's in a name, opening track from album Word Bound, is both quirky and catchy. Seemingly playful, this song takes a jab at the incessant urge to label one another and the pressure to prove our worth through status. "Beyond the glitz and the glam that we feign, everyone tries to differ... Are we not one and the same?"

In collaborating with young French music producer Estienne Rylle and with established drummer David Allevard, Hannah Featherstone has developed a subtle and powerful electro backdrop for her pop-jazz harmonies. 'Word bound': a truly authentic and disarming album has just been released. WEBSITE.

Electro pop with plenty of class, is probably an understatement on 'What's In A Name' simply because of Hannah Featherstone's sublime vocals. They add a subtle jazz dimension to the song, indeed they are outstandingly melodious and combine seamlessly with the soundtrack, this one is very memorable.

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Slow Culture - Idle Motion.

Background - Sydney's Slow Culture share new single 'Idle Motion' Atmospheric and beautiful, Slow Culture's eponymous debut EP is awash in rich, ambient tones and captivating melodies. Juxtaposing the complexities of jazz, the hypnotic rhythms of psychedelia and the effective simplicity of alternative rock, the Sydney four-piece have poured an ocean of imagination into their debut, resulting in four majestically idiosyncratic songs.

Opening to the sound of chatter and eerie synths, Idle Motion is the first single set to be launched on July 20. An infectious vocal melody and a relentless groove blend with the instrumentation, paving the way as the song displays the group’s elegance and unfiltered energy.

Engineered by Richard Lake and mixed by Steve James, the new material is as sonically textured as it is meticulously written. The delicacy of the band's nuances are captured and presented perfectly in balance with their outright intensity. Layering lavish, reverb-soaked vocals atop sophisticated beats, every track has unshakable foundations, around which the band paint texture upon texture.

Comprised of Jack O'Neale (vocals/guitar), Ben Grover (drums), Leon Moore (guitar) and Payton Ellis (bass), Slow Culture are unafraid of treading new ground and Idle Motion takes them down this very rewarding path. FACEBOOK.

'Idle Motion' opens with a post rock feel, partly due to the more sombre vocals immersed in a guitar laden surrounding. The energy and vibrancy increases, and their chosen description of alt rock becomes more fitting, as does the recognition that this is an imaginative and beautifully crafted song.

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Jesse Jo Stark - Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease - Wojtek the bear

Jesse Jo Stark - Dandelion.

Background - Los Angeles-based rock goddess Jesse Jo Stark releases her highly anticipated debut EP Dandelion today. The album was written and produced by Jesse Jo, her guitarist Thomas Hunter and Dan Taylor (The Heavy). Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) also makes a special appearance on guitar for the lead track, “Dandelion.” The vibe of Dandelion is on brand – spooky and beguiling, with nods to rock and roll, blues, and old country.
                                       
Jesse Jo Stark is the femme fatale alternative music has been starving for. If Nick Cave and Elvira had a one-night stand, she might be the resulting progeny. Her last 5 singles – “Down Your Drain,” “Driftwood,” “April Flowers,” “Deadly Doll” and “Fire of Love” – have generated over 1 million Spotify plays and earned praise from fans and critics alike. 

Jesse Jo has also secured her place as an emerging voice in rock with her scorching live shows, opening for Guns N’ Roses, Jane’s Addiction, headlining her own month-long residency at The Echo in Los Angeles and supporting indie darlings Sunflower Bean on a six-date domestic tour.   
                   
A lifetime music obsessive schooled at the altar of David Bowie and Fleetwood Mac and a born rock star, she represents the future of rock with a wink to its past. Jesse Jo Stark will release her first full length record this September. TWITTER.

We featured Jesse Jo Stark a couple of times in 2017 and the new song 'Dandelion' is the first of five tracks on the EP of the same name. Once again the atmospheric rock vibes are present throughout, as are the melodic hooks and her natural and appealing rock vocals.

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Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease - And Soon.

Background - Joey Sweeney is a Philadelphia-based songwriter who has been writing songs and prose since in the 1980s. Over the years, he has fronted the influential Philly bands The Trouble With Sweeney and The Barnabys, as well as recording and performing as a solo artist. The Neon Grease’s sound is rooted in a nighttime city vibe of rain-slicked streets with neon signs’ glow reflecting off them. It’s an album very much about the cities, and the way Sweeney's city or your city is changing. You could say the city is the central character, but there’s also much about falling in and out of love, being with your friends and not being with your friends... all against the backdrop of looking for some kind of grace, while down the street, they’re tearing the old church down.

His songs and records have received widespread critical acclaim over the years; of his last record with The Trouble With Sweeney, Fishtown Briefcase. Sweeney’s songwriting draws inspiration from sources as disparate as 1970s Philly nightlife folklore and Denis Johnson’s The Incognito Lounge. In their new songs, chiming guitars, classic rock sax solos and rainy bedroom Velvet Underground listening sessions all blend together. In these songs are little stories of triumph over dirty circumstance and grace under pressure, with the friendship of an urban family “street band” woven throughout.

Joey’s sharing “And Soon” the lead single from Catholic School that features Renée LoBue of Elk City on vocals (whose new album Everybody's Insecure is out now on Bar/None). Sweeney wanted to write something beautiful and hopeful about the experience of coming out of loss, saying “I liked the idea that ghosts could turn friendly, and that in grief you could have the kind of grace that Sandy Denny has on Who Knows Where The Time Goes? (which is referenced in the song)."  FACEBOOK.

The musical arrangement is thoughtful and beautifully laid out, giving distinction to each instrument as they shine through with style. 'And Soon' is a gently flowing song, where the vocals and duet are peaceful and dreamy, an alt rocker of sorts, this is music of real class.

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Wojtek the bear - strong suit.

Background - Scottish Fiction Records are proud to present strong suit; the third single to be taken from Glasgow indie four piece wojtek the bear's debut album a talent for being unreasonable.

Previous singles made out of maps and oil & water have both received airplay from the likes of Roddy Hart and Janice Forsyth on BBC Radio Scotland, Tom Robinson on BBC 6Music, and Amazing Radio.

strong suit is a stripped back duet weaving the tale of a warring couple trading lyrical blows and features an incredible vocal performance from the band's Scottish Fiction label-mate Annie Booth.  Of the lyrics lead singer Tam Killean describes the track as being "probably the most viscerally honest thing I've ever written.  I think we've all been in fights or arguments in relationships before where if we were to stop for even just a second we'd realise how pointless or unproductive it was.  I'd wanted to write an old style country & western duet for a while now and when we got Annie in to work with us we knew we had something special."

strong suit is released digitally on 27th July 2018 via Scottish Fiction Records. TWITTER.

We shared 'oil & water' back in May and are really pleased to be able to feature the third single 'strong suit' ahead of the bands debut album release. The band have developed a consistently distinct and attractive sound, that lingers somewhere between indie and alt rock. The vocals and harmonies are notable, there is a sense of earnest intent that adds a level of drama, and the music might be slightly understated, yet it remains fabulous.

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AK Patterson - The Joy Formidable - Starframes - Talkboy

AK Patterson - It's not over till they cry.

Background - AK Patterson have released the video for ‘It’s Not Over Till They Cry’, lifted from the band’s forthcoming debut EP ‘Shadows’, which is produced by Charlie Andrew (Alt J, Marika Hackman) and due out on 15 August, 2018 through East City Rockers in partnership with Andrew’s own Square Leg Records. Following a support slot for Alt J earlier this year and appearances at The Great Escape and Dot To Dot, AK Patterson have further summer festival dates lined up including Latitude and the Cambridge Folk Festival (full run of shows below). The band are sharing a new track every month in the run up to the EP’s release, with ‘It’s Not Over Till They Cry’ following previous releases ‘Shadows’ and ‘Lady Greyling’ - watch here.

Speaking about the surreal video for the slow-spooling waltz, singer Alex Patterson says; “‘It’s Not Over Till They Cry’ is about being a performer, the pressures of having to deliver something emotional and moving every time, but also the desire to do so. It's also about why people or an audience are drawn to dark melancholic things. There are a lot of references to the theatre - I love the dark underbelly the theatre has, the drama behind the curtain, the desperation in performers eyes which is often covered up by glitz and glamour.”

AK Patterson has been dubbed a ‘woman possessed’, disappearing to a place of fierce enchantment each time she sings. The foundations of Patterson’s voice - which switches from a whisper to flashes of emotion - were laid growing up in a music-obsessed household in suburban Cambridge. The likes of Jeff Buckley and Bjork were played heavily, alongside a more unpredictable love for Portugal’s traditional Fado singers. A curiosity for the unknown was deepened by travels including a period spent by Patterson living with monks in Japan.

An accomplished guitar and fiddle player, she and her bandmates, Alfie Weedon and Nat Reading, build a rich musical world. Classically trained, Weedon provides backing vocals and versatile double bass playing, having previously spent time in Senegal living with the country’s traditional Griot musical storytellers and poets. Reading’s restless multi-instrumentalism meanwhile, has led him to play everything from Balearic pop to classical guitar with the National Youth Guitar Ensemble. WEBSITE.

Live Dates:
15 July SOUTHWOLD Latitude Festival
20 July SALISBURY Larmer Tree Festival
  4 August CAMBRIDGE Cambridge Folk Festival
27 August KETTERING Green Belt Festival

Our second feature for AK Patterson is 'It's not over till they cry' which follows on from 'Lady Greyling' which we shared earlier last month. Once again we are treated to some soft and quite enchanting music accompanied by intense, emotional vocals. As the drama of the song unfolds, something of a mini epic arrives both musically and with the video, just two songs in, and I am really up for the arrival of the new EP.


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The Joy Formidable - The Wrong Side.

Background - Welsh rock trio The Joy Formidable are returning with yet another huge step forward, in the shape of upcoming fourth album “AAARTH”. Propelled by their restlessness and curiosity, the band continue to sit at the forefront of inventive and aggressive guitar music, taking what can be done with the instrument to new levels with each album. Still commanding festival mainstages around the world, and following a rapturous response to their sold-out UK live return at last week’s Robert Smith-curated Meltdown Festival, the band are now able to share full details of the album, along with brand new single “The Wrong Side”. It was premiered on Radio 1 by Huw Stephens last night said "it's brilliant isn't it... a pleasure to bring you that this evening… I’m really looking forward to seeing them at Reading & Leeds.”

The Wrong Side” follows recent single “Dance of the Lotus” and is a lurching, hulking giant of a track that aligns and progresses all of the band’s best qualities – a crushing, intense rhythm, remarkably inventive, snaking guitar work, and a soaring vocal melody – pushing things forward on an album that promises to be their most vibrant and experimental yet. Lead singer and guitarist Ritzy Bryan explains; “With life not always being that kind, you can either go down a really dark hole or you can smear yourself with colour and reverie and try to forget. That’s what we did with AAARTH; we threw ourselves into this beautiful vivacious collage of experimentation, real meets unreal, and stopped giving a fuck about things that didn’t matter, and started caring more about the things that are worth your time.”

“AAARTH” marks a transformative, near-psychedelic rebirth that channels long-held anger, soundtracking a chaotic global period of injustice and division, setting it against a deeply poignant backdrop of personal experiences and healing. Although the album came into being as the band travelled the globe and recorded in their mobile recording studio, the music intertwines the whispering hills of Wales with the otherworldly rainbow canyons of the Utah / Arizona border. “AAARTH” unites the personal with the mythical and symbolic, as Bryan continues; “We’ve definitely made a colourful, mystical collage with this record, partly because of our surroundings. Those multi-coloured sunsets & the primeval elements of nature in the Southwest – it’s emboldened our imaginations in the songwriting and the production. I love stories and seeing symbolism and meaning change with different cultures and interpretations. I see it in my lyrics, a lot of the imagery plays on being ambivalent because I’m often expressing a lot of things at once. That’s true of the title; it falls somewhere between a scream, an exaltation, a play on words, and then this motif of the bear (“arth” in Welsh) that spiritually represents strength, wisdom & healing.” WEBSITE.

Energised and gorgeously tight guitar and drums and determined yet melodic vocals ensure that 'The Wrong Side' is very quickly digging it's rhythmic hooks in deep. The song gradually increases it's intensity, this is one hard to ignore rocker.


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Starframes - Berlin is in love.

Background - Berlin is in love is the second single excerpt from Nicht Vergessen, the forthcoming album of Neapolitan band Starframes. Dreamy guitars, familiar melodies, magical riffs and synth pads coming from new wave tradition paint a perfect background for the main characters of the story, Friedrich and Akelei. They walk through the streets of Berlin, full of love and high thoughts and fly over the threat of war for a little while.

Just as the other tracks, Berlin is in love is directly related to the homonymous chapter of the novel, written by Raphael Bramont, voice and guitar of Starframes, that will follow the album release. The story takes place in Berlin from the 1940s up to contemporary days and gives a wide view on modern society by following the dramatic life events of main character Friederich Braun.

The video was directed and mixed by the members of the band and combines some original faces of guys playing in the streets of Berlin during 1961 with coloured and evoking flashing lights that move faster and faster as the song builds up.

Active since 2004 and based in Naples (Italy), Starframes released their debut album Street Politics in June 2009 (Mile High Music Records, UK), follow-up Ethereal Underground in January 2011 (BulbArt, IT), and self-produced EP Unwired in summer 2014. Nicht Vergessen is set to be released in autumn 2018. FACEBOOK.

'Berlin is in love' has a rich and expansive musical backdrop allowing the smooth melodic vocals to embed themselves deeper in the mix without distraction. There is plenty of personal feeling throughout the piece, and the forthcoming album should be a good one if this teaser is anything to go by.


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Talkboy - Mother.

Background - With a groundswell of support greeting their arrival on the Yorkshire music scene in late 2017, Leeds-based six-piece Talkboy share their eagerly anticipated debut offering Mother, more than living up to the hype.

Combining their playful indie rock with captivating melodies and layers of vocal harmonies, Talkboy shift between euphoric walls of noise and intimately sweet soundscapes. They show a real glimpse of their unbridled potential in this first release.

Drawing immediate comparisons to the likes of The Big Moon and Alvvays, the sextet have already delivered stellar displays at Live At Leeds and Gold Sounds alongside a sold-out BBC Introducing showcase (curated by Abbie McCarthy) with more dates in the pipeline. Produced by Alex Greaves (The Orielles, The Boxing, TRASH), Talkboy’s Mother is out now and available on all digital platforms. TWITTER.

Dual vocals and fresh and refined indie rock music are the hallmark of 'Mother' a song that helps define what catchy actually means. Talkboy have something special going on here, it's uplifting and as they cleverly mix power, refrains and melody together, the result is some rather addictive music.

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Far Caspian - Sons of Bill

Far Caspian - Let's Go Outside.

Background - Leeds quartet Far Caspian unveil new single Let’s Go Outside, the second track taken from their forthcoming debut EP, out via UK label Dance To The Radio. Following on from the majestic Holding On, which turned heads when it drifted into the online sphere’s consciousness, Let’s Go Outside reaffirms the band’s knack for hazy, infectious dream-pop.

Whilst Far Caspian have been based in Leeds since formation, frontman and guitarist Joel Johnston has only recently moved over to England from his native Ireland. This upheaval provides the basis of Let’s Go Outside’s themes.

“Although it's a pretty upbeat instrumental, the lyrics touch on depression and feeling far from something you could call home,” he states, “The whole EP is loosely based on my experiences of moving to England and feeling a disconnect to living in a new city for the first time.”

Referencing this dichotomy between themes and music with the playful self-nominated tag of ‘melanjolly’, Far Caspian’s wistful sound calls to mind the likes of Local Natives, Real Estate, Grizzly Bear or Band of Horses. However where those bands’ textures lean on the symphonic side, the lo-fi origins of the project in Johnston’s university halls, before Nath Sayers (guitar), Alessio Scozzaro (bass) and Jof Cabedo (drums) came in to complete the line-up, lends Far Caspian’s sound a comforting, insular edge.

However there’s a simpler catalyst too for the upbeat elements of the song: “We recorded and mixed the track, along with the rest of the EP in our basement. When we were doing 'Let's Go Outside' there was a crazy snow storm going on, I think it was about 1 degree in that room. That's probably why it's a bit faster than the rest of the tracks.” TWITTER.

'Let's Go Outside' is rapidly gaining some much deserved attention ahead of the bands debut EP. Far Caspian manage to mix hook laden dream pop with an upbeat feel. This is both refreshing and relaxing, with the bonus of having a level of energy that gives the song that little extra "something" to make it stand out.

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Sons of Bill - Sweeter, Sadder, Farther.

Background - Central Virginia’s band of brothers Sons of Bill release their new album 'Oh God Ma'am' on 29 June on Loose. Now, with just a few days left before the record is out, the band have shared album opener 'Sweeter, Sadder Farther Away'.

'Oh God Ma’am', Sons of Bill's latest LP is the band’s most coherent artistic statement to date-- subtle, risky, and sonically ambitious.  Recorded both in Seattle with west coast indie legend Phil Ek (Shins, Fleet Foxes) and in Nashville with Sean Sullivan (Sturgill Simpson) and mixed by Peter Katis (The National, Interpol) the album shows the Wilson brothers moving beyond the galvanic americana-rock comfort zone of previous efforts, for a more elegant and restrained sound-- a darker, and more complexly layered rock record that manages to be the band’s most emotionally intimate and sonically expansive.  

Insistent, dancey rhythms and dreamy, hook-filled, pyrotechnics abound, creating a deceptively anthemic mood around songs that are in and of themselves intensely introverted.

'Oh God Ma’am' is a coming-of-age record for an over-stimulated age-- equal parts post-adolescent anxiety and old-soul humility-- literate, gorgeous, and darkly contemplative. WEBSITE.

Sons of Bill will tour the UK and Europe in August:
Mon 13th - The Hope, Brighton (UK)        
Tues 14th - Omeara, London (UK)            
Weds 15th - Tunnels, Bristol (UK)              
Thurs 16th - Brudenell, Leeds (UK)              
Fri 17th - Broadcast, Glasgow (UK)         
Sat 18th - Soup Kitchen, Manchester (UK)      
Sun 19th - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham (UK)
Tues 21 Aug - Blue Shell, Cologne (DE)
Weds 22 Aug - Milia Club, Munich (DE)
Thurs 23 Aug - Musik & Frieden, Berlin (DE)
Fri 24 Aug - Stage Club, Hamburg (DE)
Sat 25 Aug - Once In a Blue Moon Festival, Amsterdam (NL).

Our third feature for Sons Of Bill in less than a couple of months tends to suggest we are already pretty keen on the bands album 'Oh God Ma’am' due out this coming Friday. So hot on the heels of 'Easier' and 'Firebird '85' we now have the latest song share 'Sweeter, Sadder, Farther'. The song exists somewhere between alt rock and something a little deeper and personal, it's also immersed in emotional feeling, and really does emphasis that this band are comfortable, outside of their comfort zone, if you get my point.

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Moon - Völuspa

Moon - Extinction (Album).

Background - Moon: Heavy, melodic, spacious; echo-laden guitars; post-rock bass; shifting time signatures; haunting ethereal vocals. Moon formed in 2010 when drummer Chris Schneberger met guitarist and vocalist David Azizinamini  through Craigslist and invited a bassist he'd tried out with before. The sound they made was instantly cavernous and chiming. After writing a few songs, the sound of the band grew heavier and more propulsive.

The group played some initial shows in small clubs in late 2010, and early 2011. After an early EP, Started In The Dark, Moon recorded their debut album in 2012.  Finding and Losing the Light featured six songs including the titular two song suite.

Bigger shows followed, opening for Sleepy Sun and Hounds Below at Chicago’s Double Door, opening for Driftless Pony Club at Subterranean Chicago, Blood Red Shoes at Subterranean and Kinski at Subterranean. In addition, Moon headlined their own show with local bands Nature Show and Royale. In 2012 Moon recorded their follow-up EP, Always Summer.

Their original bassist decided to follow his dreams and left for Brooklyn at the end of 2012. After an exhausting search, Moon found new bass player Chris Shen, formerly of A Birdsong Valentine. Moon released their third album, Extinction, on June 8, 2018. BANDCAMP. 

If your in the mood for some extremely fine rock music that's not stuck in any one particular genre, then the album 'Extinction' from Chicago band Moon merits further inspection. Whether it's alt rock, prog rock, or modern indie rock, Moon comfortably excel. Plenty of energy is matched by some notable melodic hooks and the vocals impressively soar above the tight and gutsy rock and roll. This is one of those unpretentious albums, where the band enthusiastically present us with some timeless, well crafted rock music to be reckoned with.


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Völuspa - Feel You

Background - Following on from the critical praise she received for her debut single ‘Wings’, Brooklyn-based dream pop artist Kirsten Knick aka Völuspa has now returned to deliver her next beautifully ambient release, ‘Feel You’.

Much like her work to date, ‘Feel You’ occupies that tentative bridge between ethereal ambience and a lucid dreamlike experience that aims to excite the hairs on the back of your neck. Mixing a light piano-led feel with minimal percussion, the front woman conjures up a feeling of pure warmth that touches the soul as she manages to breathe life into every beat.

Having cut her teeth as an artist by performing with the likes of Spiritualized and Hot Chip over the last few years, Völuspa is seen as more of a Beach House meets Lana Del Rey kind of artist. With already a strong buzz floating around her, ‘Feel You’ looks set to be the sound that defines her and the path she has set up for herself.

Völuspa on the new single: "Feel You was written in response to the calls of a loved one heard through the wind coming from the mountains in Montana. The song is about our infinite existence and how death is just an illusion." ‘Feel You’ was released last Friday via Icons Creating Evil Art, and is due to become the start of a very busy year for her. WEBSITE.

The song begins in a low key and gentle musical manner, before being joined by some distant, dreamy and enchanting vocals. Understated dream pop throughout, 'Feel You' is calm, with a warm emotional vibe, it's one of those, stop everything and listen tunes!

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